Helen Keller (In Their Own Words (Scholastic Hardcover)) [Hardcover]

George Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: In Their Own Words (Scholastic Hardcover)

Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind student to ever attend an American college, but graduating from Radcliffe with honors was only one of her many accomplishments. Her writing and speeches tell the poignant story of a woman who struggles to overcome personal adversity, while working as an advocate for the physically challenged.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-These biographies don't quite live up to their billing. At the beginning of each volume, the author discusses the differences between primary and secondary sources and the importance of using primary sources whenever possible. These introductions and the series title imply that the books rely heavily on the actual written and spoken words of the subject. Instead, what readers will find are perhaps a few more quotes than are common in biographies for young people, but the approach is not shatteringly different. The question, however, is whether this matters. These may not be unique biographies, but they are still well written, fast moving, and highly readable, squeezed into a small format that should appeal to many students. Both books feature black-and-white photos and reproductions, a useful index, a short bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and a short list of further readings, along with places to contact for further information. Certainly much has been written about these two figures and many libraries will find their shelves already well stocked. Those needing more materials, however, will find these to be solid choices.
Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Sullivan's Abraham Lincoln.

Gr. 3-5. In Their Own Words biographies focus on famous people who left a record of their own lives. Beginning with an explanation of the difference between primary and secondary sources, Sullivan seamlessly interweaves information about his subjects with excerpts from primary sources. In the case of Helen Keller, Sullivan uses her autobiographical works; for Lincoln, he draws on speeches and letters. Both Keller and Lincoln have been covered in numerous biographies for young people (Sullivan's own Picturing Lincoln was published last fall), but these volumes are still worthwhile. The short chapters, large print, simple vocabulary, straightforward narrative, and attractive illustrations, as well as the addition of the subjects' own words, make them fine choices for early-grade biographies. They fit nicely between David Adler's Picture Book Biography series books and more challenging volumes such as Russell Freedman's classic Lincoln: A Photobiography (1987). Catherine Andronik
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Reference (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439147514
• ISBN-13: 978-0439147514
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #844,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, January 12, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Helen Keller (In Their Own Words) (Paperback)

I re-read this book a few nights ago and although it is not a story-tale fiction book like I ussually read it is still very enjoyable and extremly educational. It teaches you the amazing story of a girl named Helen Keller who lost her ability to see and hear at a very young age. It takes you through her life during which she accomplishes so many spectacular things and conquers challenges that no one thought she could. She stars in a movie, she learns to read and write and she goes through college and becomes an honor student and all along the way she is guided by her loyal friend Anne Sullivan. I ussually dont read biographys but I'm glad I picked this one up! I encourage you to read it because it makes you realize that even though someone like Helen Keller cant see or hear, it makes them no different than other people and they are perfectly capable of accomplishing anything as long as they set their mind to it. This book is very inspiring and it really makes you realize what a remarkable person Helen Keller was.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT ADDITION TO A WONDEFUL SERIES, September 28, 2006

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helen Keller (In Their Own Words) (Paperback)

As with the other books in the series "In Their Own Words," the author has given us another great good and useful book for young women and men. The Keller story is in itself, quite inspirational and Mr Sullivan has been able to capture this spirit quite well. The constant use of quotes allows the reader to feel they are getting the facts right from the source and not from some dry accedemic source. The black and white photos are used quite effectively. The book holds the reader's interest and along with inspiring the reader, he or she actually learns something. Highly recommend this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Helen Keller as a girl, learning from Anne Sullivan, January 17, 2010

By 

H. C. Stewart "Grandma Charlene" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Helen Keller (In Their Own Words) (Paperback)

This book, "In Their Own words: Helen Keller," was received in good condition, before Christmas, as I hoped. It is a well-written book, especially for young people, to educate people about Helen Keller's condition and how she faced it and surmounted it, with the help of many wonderful people, but especially her teacher, Anne Sullivan.